Job Description

Project Manager Purchasing - Sensors & Small Control Units

Role Purpose

Responsible for Purchasing Project Management for Sensors and Small Control Units (SU) products, with end-to-end ownership of the purchasing workstream for projects industrialized at the Gangaikonda Plant (GanP), India.

Act as the local Purchasing Project Lead (PPx) and key interface between Indian stakeholders, suppliers, and the international production network (IPN), ensuring achievement of Quality, Cost and Delivery (QCD) targets from sourcing through industrialization, ramp-up, and series production.

Major Responsibilities

Take end-to-end ownership of the Purchasing workstream for Sensors and Small Control Units for GanP.
Act as the local Purchasing Project Lead (PPL) and primary purchasing contact for Indian stakeholders and suppliers.
Drive project targets for Quality, Cost and Delivery (QCD) and ensure timely achievement of purchasing milestones.
Coordinate purchasing activities across the complete project lifecycle, from sourcing and supplier nomination through industrialization, ramp-up and series production.
Represent Purchasing in cross-functional project teams, working closely with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Logistics and Project Management.
Drive supplier readiness, including capacity, quality, cost and delivery preparedness, and lead escalation and resolution of critical supplier issues.
Ensure transparent and structured tracking of milestones, risks, actions, countermeasures and open points.
Coordinate closely with the IPN Project Lead to ensure effective alignment between international and Indian teams.
Prepare and lead supplier meetings, project reviews and internal cross-functional alignment meetings.
Proactively identify project and supply-chain risks and ensure timely escalation and implementation of countermeasures.
Support sourcing strategy, RFQ activities and supplier selection in collaboration with the responsible IPN Purchasing organization.
Establish and maintain strong working relationships with Indian suppliers and internal cross-functional stakeholders.
Drive knowledge transfer and localization of competence, gradually building sustainable ownership within the Indian organization.
After project ramp-up, assume long-term purchasing/product ownership for LPS in India.
Identify and drive cost-improvement and RPP opportunities together with cross-functional teams throughout both project and series phases.
Capture, standardize and transfer lessons learned and best practices to future projects.

Qualification & Preferred Profile

Experience

10-15 years of professional experience in Purchasing, Project Management, Quality, Engineering, Manufacturing or a related technical function.
Automotive industry experience is strongly preferred.
Proven experience managing complex products, industrialization projects and cross-functional teams.
Experience in supplier management, supplier development and escalation management.
Good understanding of product development, sourcing and industrialization processes.
Knowledge of manufacturing technologies and cost structures such as:
- Machining
- Plastic injection molding
- Wire harnesses
- Electrical/electronic components
- Sheet metal and deep drawing
- Assembly and related manufacturing processes
Understanding of technical cost calculation and cost optimization is desirable.

Project & Leadership Competencies

Strong project management capabilities, with the ability to independently drive complex topics to closure.
High level of ownership, initiative and result orientation.
Strong communication, stakeholder management, teamwork and influencing skills.
Ability to work effectively across Indian and European organizations, functions and cultures.
Structured and independent working style with strong prioritization and problem-solving capabilities.
Ability to operate effectively in an environment of high complexity, changing priorities and incomplete information.
Strong assertiveness and escalation management skills, combined with a collaborative approach.
Ability to proactively identify risks, establish countermeasures and ensure implementation.
Willingness and capability to grow into a future project/product ownership role.

Tools & Education

Good working knowledge of MS Office.
SAP experience is desirable.
Knowledge and practical application of AI/digital productivity tools would be an advantage.
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Automotive, Industrial Engineering or a related engineering discipline preferred.
PMP certification and/or MBA would be an added advantage.